Oct. 21, 2014
Snapped! Kelli Stapleton: Mom of Autistic Daughter
Kelli Stapleton is the Michigan mom who finally snapped, after years of being attacked by her violent autistic daughter. Society repeatedly failed their family when it refused to provide help. Finally, nowhere left to turn, Kelli took her daughter into the woods, and allowed carbon monoxide to fill up their van, putting them both to sleep. Escorting Issy to heaven was Kelli's final act of love, not the attempted murder with which she was charged. Dr. Carole was Kelli's defense psychiatrist, and testified at her sentencing that she was legally insane at the time. Kelli could have gotten life, but was sentenced to 10-22 years. Now she is in jail instead of a psychiatric hospital where she belongs to recover from PTSD and traumatic brain injuries caused by her daughter. Today's guests, amongst those closest to Kelli, will describe their feelings about Kelli, Issy, the sentencing and the need for society to provide better care for families with children who are out of control.